Bower, Sprang appointed as USA Snowboard, Freeski Sport Directors

U.S. Ski and Snowboard USANA Center of Excellence global headquarters located in Park City. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — U.S. Ski and Snowboard announced on Tuesday the appointment of Rick Bower to Snowboard Sport Director and Skogen Sprang to Freeski Sport Director. Sprang and Bower have been with U.S. Ski & Snowboard for over a decade and have led their athletes on the freeski and snowboard teams to tremendous success.

Bower’s father, John, was a three-time Nordic Combined Olympian and a two-time Nordic Combined Olympic Coach/Sport Director for U.S. Ski and Snowboard; he then was the first Executive Director for the Utah Olympic Park, widely credited as a visionary leading up to the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics.

Bower and Sprang will oversee their national teams and will work closely with the development programs. Ashley Diebold, the Snowboard/Freeski Sport Development Director, will support both new directors. Together they will manage the progression of the rookie athletes onto the elite teams and will play a significant role in engaging with the clubs and programs in the community to identify and nurture talent and the sports overall.